Ditching machine



Sept. 1, 1931. H. H. BARBER DITGHING MACHINE Filed June 18, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I mvamLnr-nt Harr H. Barber- H. H. BARBER 1,821,537

DITCHING MACHINE Filed June 18, 1928 Sept. 1, 1931.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I L'SZET'LtETZ 1 hilfiarben Sept. 1, 1931. H. H. BARBER DITCHING MACHINE Filed June 18, 1928/ 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 J. NEE-L 1:?

Patented Sept. 1, 1931 PATENT OFFICE HARRY H. BARBER, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS,

ASSIGNOB. T BARBER-GREENE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS nr'rc'nme MACHINE Application filed June 18,

This invention relates to a ditching machine of that type embodying an endless digging member with swingable cleaner plates and concerns itself primarily with means for propelling the chain and actuating the cleaner plates for dumping in a forward direction,

together with means for scraping the cleaner plates and preventing the rearward travel of excavatedv material.

In ditching machines embodying substantially a vertical boom involving a forward dumping operation in contra-distinction to a rearward dumping operation, there is always a large amount of excavated material that clings to the cleaner plates and that is carried over rearwardly and. dumped in the trench as the cleaner plates travel over the head sprocket. This amount of material is greatly increased if the soil is damp or moist.

This invention is designed to overcome this objection in the provision of means for kicking out or elevating the cleaner plates and scraping the same while they are in elevated position. I

The invention comprises the novel structure and combination of parts hereinafter described. and more particularly pointed out and defined in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of this invention and in which similar reference numerals refer to similar features inthe different views:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of the ditching machine. showing the digging boom connected to the frame of the ditching machine.

Figure 2 the boom with. parts omitted, looking down upon Figure 3.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional viewtaken in a vertical plane through the scraper and digging chain, illustrating the parts in one position. v

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure3, illustrating the parts in a different position.

Figure 5 is a view similar to-Figure 3, illustrating the parts in a still different position.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary front is an enlarged top plan view of 1928. Serial No. 286,0 97.

elevational view ofthe upper part of the digging boom with parts omitte Figure 7 is an enlarged plan view of a cleaner plate as attached to the endless chain.

FigureS is an enlarged sectional view thru the cleaner plate taken upon the line VIII VIII of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view similar to Figure 3, illustratingthe descent of the scraper and the manner of cushioning the same.

In connection with this invention, there is shown a substantially vertical digging boom 1 which is connected by a radius rod 2 to the framework, generally denoted by the referprojections or lobes 5a, which are quick acting and which are adapted to extend thru suitable openings in the chain for actuating the cleaner plates for dumping the contents of the buckets in a forward direction, as will later more fully appear. 7

While the endless digging chain may be constructed in various wavs, as a matter of illustration, it has been shown as comprising a pair of spaced. flexible members 6. Each flexible member 6 consists of two series of links 6a which are connected by transverse pivots 7 and 7a upon which rollers 8 may be mounted. The pivots 7a extend thru both flexible members 6, for a purpose that will later appear. The spaces between the pivots 7 and 76; provide openings thru which the aforementioned projections 5a are adapted to extend for propelling the digging chain and simultaneously engaging the cleaner links. 1 I Buckets 9 are carried by the digging chain and each bucket consists of side plates 9a 'which are secured to alternate outermost links (Sa ofeach flexible member. These side plates are joined by a bottom plate 96 The back or each bucket is formed by a cleaner plate 10, the upper end of which is provided with a curl 11 partly surrounding the long pivot pins 7a.

The central curl 11 on each cleaner plate 10 projects forwardly as shown in Figure 7 and fits between the flexible members 6, the inner links of which are provided with lugs or shoulders 6b which project in the path of the edge of the curl and limits the outward swing of the cleaner plates.

The rear face of each cleaner plate is provided with a pair of ribs 10a provided with apertures thru which the long pivots a project, for hinging the plates to thechain and adjacent these ribs are humps or cams 13 with which the impelling lobes 5a coact. As the lobes or projections 5a actuate the cleaner plates for dumping the buckets, they may, in a broad sense, be termed dumping means for the cleaner plates. The digging buckets may be provided with suitable digging teeth 14 or the like, as is well-know in the art.

The links between the buckets are provided with battle plates 19 which may be secured or riveted to the links These battle plates form a twofold purpose. First, they prevent the excavated material from falling rearwardly and they also serve as support, impact and guide members for the scrapers, as will later more fully appear.

In digging especially sticky or damp 8011, there is always a tendency for the same to adhere more or less to the cleaner plates and be thrown off rearwardly into the excavated trench. in such cases, it is desirable to use ascra'per for cleaning the cleaner plate as its bucket is being emptied. To accomplish this, a U-shaped support 15 is suitably se-.

sured to the topot the conveyor, and there is provided a scraper 16, having a transverse scraping blade 1'? with lateral arms 16a which are pivoted to the sides of the U-shaped member 15 as indicated at 18. The scraping blade 17 is adapted to extend across the cleaner plates and is adapted to descend by gravity. It is, however, freely movable in that it is responsive to the elevating movements of the cleaner plates 10 when the same are acted upon by the impellingprojections of the head sprocket. When the scraper automatically descends, it contacts the batfie plate .19 which has been moved into posi tion, and as it descends with a. thud, and causes an objectionable noise, means are providedfor cushioning the same as it descends to avoid the objectionable impact. To this end, a resilient means is interposed in the path of the arms 16a of the scraper to avoid or eliminate the objectionable impact. .In the form shown, such resilient means assumes the form of leaf springs 20 upon which the arms 16a are adapted to be cushioned during the latter part 0t theirdescent. As the chain travels over the crest of the sprockets, the

shoulders 66 limit the swing of the cleaner plates in an outward direction and prevent the same from flopping over. The cleaner plates hence have a limited movement between such sho-ulders and the front face of the chain.

It will be noted that the projections 5a on the driving sprockets comprise parts of dill'erent radii. The part with the shortest radii forms the impelling means for the chain, while the part with the longest radii forms the actuating means for the cleaner plates 10 and is adapted for slidably engaging the humps or cams 13 on the rear of the cleaner plates.

l/Vhile the means for actuating the cleaner plates are illustrated as a part of the driving means, it is obvious that the invention is not limited to such a structure but contemplates any means rotating in timed relation with a digging. chain for extending thru such chain for actuating the cleaner plates in a forward direction before they reach the crest of the digging boom.

In the operation of the mechanism heretofore described, it will be obvious that, as the head sprocket wheels are revolved, the projections 5a, on account of their spacing, will extend thru the digging chain only at the points where the buckets are locatedand on account of their shape, they produce a quick kickout of the cleaner plates. It will be noted that the buckets are secured to alternate links in the chain, leaving a suitable space between the buckets. ther obvious that, as a cleaner plate is elevated, it will be brought into engagement with'the scraper blade 17, which has previously descended upon or close to the top of a battle plate and which scraper will be elevated as the cleaner plate is kicked out or elevated and, as the cleaner plate passes under the blade, it will be effectively cleaned of any adhering material, thereby preventing excavated material from flying rearwardly.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that a very simple and novel mechanism has been provided for excavating, and dumping the excavated material in a forward direction before it reaches the crest of the boom. While I have illustrated the invention in connection with a ditching machine, it should be understood that the same is susceptible of use in a conveyor or the like.

I am aware that many changes may be made, and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention. and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon, otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a ditching machine, embodying a boom, an endless digging chain embodying buckets and cleaner plates upon said boom,

It will be fur-' means for impelling said chain and actuating said cleaner plates, bafiie plates upon said chain between adjacent buckets, and a gravity controlled scraper adapted to descend upon a battle plate and engaging a cleaner plate as it advances and is actuated by said means.

2. In a ditching machine, embodying a boom, an endless digging chain embodying buckets and cleaner plates upon said boom, means for impelling said chain and actuating said cleaner plates, a gravity controlled scraper for scraping said plates when acted upon by said means, and means for cushioning said scraper during its descent.

3. In a ditching machine, embodying a boom, an endless di ging chain embodying digging buckets and cleaner plates upon said boom, bafiie plates upon said chain between adjacent buckets, a gravity controlled scraper for said cleaner plates and yielding means for cushioning said scraper as it descends toward a baffle plate.

4. In a ditching machine, an endless digging chain embodying digging buckets and cleaner plates, a gravity controlled scraper for scraping each plate and means for cushioning said scraper as it descends toward said chain.

5. In a ditching machine, an endless digging chain embodying digging buckets and cleaner plates, and baflie plates between adjacent buckets and a scraper adapted to descend upon a bafiie plate for scraping the advancing cleaner plate.

6. In a ditching machine, an endless dig ging chain embodying digging buckets and cleaner plates and bafiie plates between adjacent buckets, and a scraper adapted to descend toward a battle plate for scraping the advancing cleaner plate and means for cushioning said scraper to avoid severe impact with said baffle plate.

'7. In a ditching machine including a vertical boom, an endless digging chain consisting of spaced flexiblemembers, each member consisting of parallel links connected by pivots, bucket and cleaner plates carried by said chain, a pair of head sprockets upon said boom over which said flexible members are respectively trained, said head sprockets having projections extending thru said members between said pivots for actuating said cleaner plates.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Aurora, Kane County, Illinois.

HARRY H. BARBER. 

